Back to School, with the Help of Local Heroes

Heroes Once Again

Two weeks ago, we shared some thoughts on how teachers, especially during our current times, are an example of a #localhero. Back to school is on many of our minds and we want to encourage you to think about the people in your life that are committed to helping our children get back to school, whether it be virtually or in person. Heroes Once Again There are a host of different parties involved in the back to school process and each of them have their own crucial roles, which in our opinion, make them local heroes as well. Many parents have been propelled to the frontlines of remote learning as they balance their jobs, which many are now being done remotely, with the added task of managing online learning for children. There are many others that are part of this process- school bus drivers, school administrators and security personnel. Reach out and unleash your power to make someone's day and tell them how appreciated they are. Send them a card, give them a "virtual" hug, email, text or feature them here. We wanted to highlight some of the stories you have already shared with us. Priya nominated her fellow teachers as her #localhero. Priya is a New York City teacher and expressed how upset she was when she learned that she and her fellow teachers would have to work from home; however, she noted that her colleagues "hearts and hard work" never faltered and that they continue to persevere to make sure their students are taken care of emotionally and academically. Corey nominated Amy, an inner-city teacher who has always worked hard to support every child's need. Whether it be food needs, help with reading, or even a pair of shoes, Amy has consistently gone above and beyond for her students. Even when the pandemic hit, Amy answered calls from her students at all hours and has delivered food and homework materials to anyone who needs it. Adaptability Is More Important Than Ever As students re-enter schools, other heroes – often overlooked – have begun to get the appreciation they deserve. Consider the school bus drivers – safely picking up children and making sure they get to and from school safely. Or the cafeteria workers, who now have to think through how to safely feed hundreds of children a day. Or even fellow classmates, who will do their best to show empathy to other students who may be having trouble managing change. Everyone is stepping up to the plate and doing their best in an effort to continue the education of the next generation. We had occasion to speak to our friend, trusted advisor and Board Member, Larry Zarin, who pointed out in the "new normal" there is not just an "on" or an "off" switch. Rather, businesses, institutions and organizations across industries will need to learn how to swiftly change gears. We've seen this need with recent restaurant openings, followed by closures, based on an identification of a positive COVID-19 case or changing regulations. Schools too must be swift and comprehensive in their processes and responses to ensure that safety is the guiding principle. There is no guarantee that things will remain static and adaptability is more important than ever. We've included some links we hope you find helpful: • Stories of heroism continue to inspire me throughout this difficult time, and we were impressed by students in northern New Jersey who have helped raise money for local essential workers. • We found this article about prepping for distance learning to be very informative and helpful. • We also wanted to share some back to school tips for our community. Whatever these Fall months may bring, what we do know is that we give our thanks and appreciation to our local heroes for helping all of us to get through this pandemic. All the best, Jim & Chris   Jim McCann Chris McCann Gift Cards | Security & Privacy Manage Email Preferences | Terms of Offer | Unsubscribe View as webpage This email was sent to webmonster2.sq90rar@blogger.com on 08/16/2020 © 2020 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, INC. • One Old Country Road, Suite 500 • Carle Place, New York 11514-1801